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                         The Alchemist's Bench
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        New Quests, Characters, Rules and Other Support Material
                     for Milton Bradley's HeroQuest
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          http://www.heroscribe.org/thealchemistsbench/
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Issue 1                                                    January 6, 1999
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                           IN THIS ISSUE
                           -------------
WELCOME -- Don't skip this if you want to receive future issues of this
           newsletter!
GM HINTS -- An article that attacks the problem of heroes with too many
            artifacts. What do you do when the monsters don't impress
            them anymore?
ARTS & CRAFTS -- Huge cardboard castle scenery
NEW HERO -- An elf with a really big sword
FEATURE -- Action figures
ARTS & CRAFTS -- Homemade photo-realistic board overlays
==========================================================================
                               WELCOME!
                               --------
The Alchemist's Bench is a completely free e-mail based newsletter that
exists to provide information, ideas and interesting new gaming material for
Milton Bradley's terrific yet out-of-print HeroQuest boardgame.
We are going to divide the newsletter into columns in order to keep our
content organized. Not all columns will appear in all issues. So far, the
columns we're planning are
   New Heroes
   New Monsters
   Quest Designing
   New Rules
   Questions/Answers/Comments
   Miniatures
   Other Dungeon Games
   Game Master Hints
   News
   Arts and Crafts
   Background Music
   In the Stores (non-gaming things that might interest HQ players)
We're also planning a series of articles containing complete components
lists and reviews of other fantasy boardgames. Naturally, everything we
cover will be presented from a HeroQuest viewpoint.
SUBSCRIBE!
We're sending this issue to people who have expressed interest in HeroQuest
in the past. If you don't want to receive our future issues, do nothing and
your name will be dropped from our list.
YOUR PRIVACY
We respect the privacy of our subscribers and contributors. We will always
use the "BCC" option when sending out our newsletter so that other
subscribers will not see your e-mail address. If you contribute an article
or an opinion, we will assume that you DO want your e-mail address to
accompany your contribution unless you specifically request otherwise.
SEND US STUFF!
The Alchemist's Bench is always looking for material.  We're interested in
your new quests, heroes, monsters, optional rules, gameplay advice and
reviews of products that can be used with HeroQuest.  We'd also like to see
any completely original artwork you've made to expand the game.   If it
relates to HeroQuest, we're interested.  (Naturally, since this is a free
newsletter, we don't pay anything for submissions.)
We're also planning to add a reader feedback section called
"Questions/Answers/Comments," starting with our next issue.  If you'd like
to ask or tell us something, send it in!
ARCHIVE
Feel free to visit our website for back issues of this newsletter and
assorted other goodies. It's small but growing fast, and, like this
newsletter, it's free!  The URL is
     http://www.heroscribe.org/thealchemistsbench/
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                              Game Master Hints
                              -----------------
GETTING RID OF WEAPONS IN HEROQUEST,
OR THOSE HEROES ARE JUST TOO STRONG
by Dewayne Agin
As you play HeroQuest, eventually you will have a Hero (or group of Heroes)
that manage to survive for a long time.  This Hero will accumulate a vast
array of weapons, armor, and artifacts, each making him stronger.  While
having a choice of several weapons and magical artifacts to use while
questing is usual, and finding a new magical artifact is fun and often the
goal of a group of quests, the Hero can get abnormally strong this way.  To
see what I mean just imagine a quest that goes like this...
The Barbarian has wandered off from the rest of the Heroes.  Suddenly a
group of Goblins jumps him.  The Barbarian says "Luckily I have my trusty
GoblinBlade, giving me an extra two attack rolls against these foul imps."
He pulls the sword and starts slicing Goblin heads.  When they are all dead
he opens a door to find a group of Skeletons waiting in the room beyond.  "I
sheath my GoblinBlade, and pull my mace BoneWacker, which is the death of
all Skeletons".  After destroying the animated bones with his artifact, a
wandering Fimir pops up from behind a bookshelf.  "Luckily I have my Magical
Plate Mail and Shield, which will protect me while I put away my Mace and
pull out my regular Magic Sword".  He finishes off the Fimir and hears a
strange grating sound from the corner.  A large group of undead enters the
room through a secret passage, led by a foul Necromancer.  Realizing that
the monsters are too many for him to conquer, he states "I am removing my
Magical Plate Mail, and putting on my suit of Chain Mail.  This will allow
me to roll two movement dice and get away from the Undead Horde that is
giving chase".
Well, you get the picture.  The Hero has so many weapons, armor, and
artifacts that he has something for every occasion.  While it may be fun to
play this way once and a while, it can get old very quickly.  As a Game
Master, what can you do?  Well, here are some suggestions:
1.  Play with a 'Quest Limit'.  The Heroes can only play for a certain
number of quests before they retire.  A similar solution is that a Hero
retires after he finds a certain amount of wealth.  Weapons, armor, and
artifacts should be counted in this total (assign a gold amount for each
artifact a Hero finds).  The player must now start a new Hero.  A retiring
Hero takes all his possessions with him, leaving nothing for the new one.
2.  Limit the amount of equipment that a Hero can carry into a quest.  It is
pretty unrealistic to suppose that a Hero can wear a suit of Plate Mail and
only roll one red die for movement, but carrying the same suit in his pack
will allow him to have two dice for movement.  You may want to limit the
Heroes to only one suit of armor.  Only allow them to carry a few extra
weapons, depending on the Hero's strength and type of weapon.  A Hero can
carry more daggers than battle axes, and the Barbarian can carry more than
the Wizard.  The final decision would be up to you as Game Master.  If the
Hero found a weapon or suit of armor and was already at his limit, he would
either have to give one to another Hero or drop it.  Another possible
alternative is to start reducing a Hero's movement once he passes his limit.
He can carry that extra longsword, but it will cost him to movement squares
to do so.
3.  If a Hero wishes to change weapons or armor, allow him to be vulnerable
for some turns.  For instance a Hero changing weapons would have to spend an
attack turn doing so, or a Hero changing armor could not attack or defend
during that turn.  Make a Hero think twice about switching.
4.  Finally, you can always destroy the weapon/armor/artifact.  The game
comes with the 'Rust' spell.  This can be used to destroy a Hero's extra
metal weapons or armor.  The Elf Pack comes with a spell, 'Twist Wood' that
causes any wooden weapon to become useless.  Even though the 'Rust' spell
doesn't normally affect artifacts, you could use it to destroy the Artifact
of a Hero who has too many (after all, you are the Game Master - tell the
Heroes that it is a special Rust Spell).  If you gave a Hero a spell wand
with a limitless supply of uses, you could use 'Twist Wood' to get rid of
it.  A fire spell could burn spell scrolls.  The end goal is to get allow
the Heroes a few artifacts to use, but not an unending supply.  This way you
can continually come up with new artifacts to put in your quests and still
keep the Heroes at a manageable strength level.
Finally, use everything I said above with caution.  The purpose of the game
is to have fun.  Everything must be balanced to achieve this.  If the Hero
has too many artifacts and can kill any monster with out even trying, you
must do something to restore the challenge to the game.  On the other hand,
a sadistic Game Master who destroys a new weapon or artifact every time the
Hero gets one has probably gone too far.  Use the ideas above with prudence
and have fun.
==========================================================================
                             Arts and Crafts
                             ---------------
ADDING A TWIST TO GAMEPLAY
   By Nathan Stout
After playing HeroQuest many times, the game play can become monotonous if
you don't do something to liven it up a bit.  If you feel your gaming
experience is dragging, try something new.  Here I have made a custom level
with a custom map.  This battle is set in a lavish castle setting.  It adds
a fresh and exciting twist to the game and itŐs cheap to make.  It also
gives the characters a really large space in which to battle, unlike the
small dungeon rooms on the game board.
It is basically several pieces of cardboard that have been drawn on so give
the appearance of the floor and walls of a castle/dungeon.  You really don't
have to make a floor if you don't want to, just place the HeroQuest game
board below the walls.  Although all this looks huge and difficult to do,
itŐs very easy.  Here you can see that itŐs just the cardboard pieces being
held up by whatever is handy (including a cup and a stapler).
If you take a closer look, you will notice that I have drawn one inch
squares all over the cardboard floor (using a ruler) then I used a marker to
make it look like the dungeon squares on the main HeroQuest game board.
After that I used a pen to make marks and cracks on the squares.  Here you
can see the squares, marks, and cracks close up...
These types of custom levels are good to place in the middle of a long quest
campaign.  The best part about making a custom level like this is that you
can reuse the pieces again and again for different levels.
If you noticed in the first picture, I have some irregular spaces in front
of the castle door.  These are fine as long as you make them all big enough
for a piece to sit on.  Just consider each irregular space equals the size
of the regular spaces.
I will bring you some more of these custom level props in the future as well
as custom quests, tips on painting minis and comparisons between minis from
different games.  If you have created a custom level, submit it so we can
start a custom level area.
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                                New Hero
                                --------
THE SWORDMASTER OF HOETH
Adapted from the Warhammer Profession The Sword Master Of Hoeth by J. Thorne
Swordmasters are the hands of the High Loremaster of the White Tower Of
Hoeth.  These Elves are sent out by the High Loremaster to search the world
for knowledge and powerful magic items to add to the collection of the White
Tower.  The Swordmasters train all their lives with swords and are able to
wield them much better than their regular Elven kin, but to the neglect of
the study of other weapons.  Swordmasters have also neglected their training
in the Magical arts, and so can cast fewer spells than a regular Elf, but
because of their hard training are typically tougher.
Race:  Swordmasters of Hoeth are always Elves.
Starting Equipment:
Weapon - Short Sword
Armor - None
The Swordmaster may wear any armor that an Elf or a Barbarian may wear.
Stats:
Movement    - 2 Red Dice
Attack      - 2
Defend      - 2
Body Points - 7
Mind Points - 3
Special Rules:
Swordmasters never use any magical weapon or armor they find.  Instead they
save the items to give to the Loremaster to store in the White Tower of
Hoeth.  Any spell scroll or potion may be used, though.  The use of any
other magical item is up to the discretion of the Game Master.
Swordmasters disdain the use of shields, and never carry one.  A Swordmaster
will discard any shield he finds unless it is magical.
Swordmasters have trained long and hard using the Great Two-Handed Elven
Sword, and will feel most comfortable using one of these weapons.  A
Swordmaster may roll 5 attack dice when using this type of sword.  One may
be purchased from the armory for 800 gold coins.  An alternate idea may be
to have the Blacksmith at the armory tell the Swordmaster that he cannot
make such a sword, but knows where one might be found... (a quest idea!!).
Swordmasters have trained in the use of swords, and will never purchase any
other weapon, including Bows and other range weapons.  The only time they
will use one is if their weapon is destroyed in battle.  If this occurs and
no sword is to be found, they will use whatever weapon is available,
although they will roll one fewer attack dice than normal for their weapon
because of their lack of training.
Swordmasters have trained so intensely with the use of swords that they have
neglected their training in the Magical Arts.  A Swordmaster starts questing
with the ability to learn only two spells for the quest, instead of the
normal four that an Elf begins with.
The Swordmaster is trying to find new artifacts and knowledge to give to the
Loremaster of Hoeth.  He will want to explore an entire quest level before
going to the next one.  He will try to convince the others to accompany him
by telling them that there is more gold to be found. If the others want to
leave the current level and go on before it is fully explored, he will stay
and explore by himself if needed.
The Swordmaster keeps a notebook of his explorations.  In between quests he
may visit the Shrine of Hoeth, where his notebook is shown to the Loremaster
by magical means.  When the Swordmaster does this, roll one red die and
consult the following table:
     1-2   Nothing new was learned
     3-5   The Loremaster finds a few points of interest, and rewards the
           Swordmaster with gold.  Roll one red die and multiply by ten
           for the amount of gold awarded.
      6    The Loremaster finds the answer in your notebook to a question
           that he has been puzzling over for a long time.  You may draw
           two treasure cards (if a wandering monster or trap card is
           drawn, you may redraw until a treasure is found).
Finding a magical treasure or artifact will so please the Loremaster that he
will allow the Swordmaster to draw three treasure cards (once again, if a
wandering monster or trap card is drawn, you may draw again).
Skills:
The Swordmaster begins questing knowing the skill of Ambidextrous.  The
Swordmaster may use a weapon in each hand. Each weapon must be usable in
only one hand, and any extra long weapon that allows the user to reach into
an extra square, such as a halberd or a spear, cannot be used with another
weapon.  If the Swordmaster has a weapon in each hand, he does not have a
free hand to use a potion. To do so, he must either drop a weapon, in which
case it cannot be picked back up until the current combat phase is over, or
else spend a turn sheathing a weapon, during which no attack can be made. If
the Swordmaster is using two weapons and loses all his Body Points and must
drink a potion in order to survive, a weapon of his choice is considered
dropped.  This skill is always in use with the Swordmaster (whether he is
using two weapons or not) and may be used at the same time as any of the
skills learned below.
The Swordmaster may train at the Heroes Guild to increase his stats. In
addition he may learn these skills at the Heroes Guild for a cost of 3000
gold coins. The Hero then rolls two red dice, and learns the skill
corresponding to the number rolled. If the Hero already knows that skill he
should roll again.
A Hero can use only one skill per turn. Some can last for more than one
turn. If a Hero is using one of these skills, he may not use another skill
until the first wears off.
2 - FLIP:  As a part of his movement the Swordmaster may flip over a square,
passing any obstacle (i.e. monsters, pits, traps).  Flipping over a square
counts as only one square of movement.
3 - KILLING BLOW:  Once per quest level the Swordmaster may attempt to make
a Killing Blow against a single monster.  Roll one red die, on a roll of 5-6
the Killing Blow has successfully destroyed the enemy.
4 - BLADE WALL:  Once per quest level the Swordmaster may begin to spin and
twirl his sword so fast that it becomes almost impossible to hit him.   The
Swordmaster gains three defense dice against all attacks, including missile
shots.  This skill lasts until the end of the current combat phase.
5 - HERBLORE:  This is another area that the Swordmaster has trained better
than the Elf.  He may use this skill on any Hero, including himself.  Roll
one red die for effects:
     1    No Effect
     2-4  2 Body Points Healed
     5    3 Body Points Healed
     6    All Body Points Healed
6 - MULTIPLE BLOWS:  Once per quest level the Swordmaster may make one extra
attack with a normal sword, or two extra attacks with his Great Sword.
7 - PRESSURE POINT:  Swordmasters have trained in knowing their enemies
weaknesses, including which points to squeeze to cause temporary paralysis.
This skill may only be used by a Swordmaster with a free hand - he cannot be
using two weapons or a two-handed weapon.  By trading one attack die, he may
use the skill to take away one of his enemies defense dice.  The Swordmaster
may trade more than one of his attack dice, but may not trade them all.
Each attack die traded removes one defense die.  This skill may only be used
on one enemy at a time.
8 - SIDE STEP:  This skill allows the Swordmaster to avoid a blow from a
single enemy, avoiding any skulls rolled by that attack.
9 - CORNER:  If an enemy adjacent to the Swordmaster is within two squares
of a corner, and the squares are empty, the Swordmaster may attempt to back
his enemy into it.  The Swordmaster rolls one red die.  On a roll of 5 or 6
move the enemy into the corner, and the Swordmaster next to him (this does
not count towards the Swordmasters or the enemy's movement).  The
Swordmaster may make his normal attack now, and the monster rolls one fewer
defense dice because it is cornered.
10 - HYPNOSIS:  This skill allows the Swordmaster to enter a self-induced
hypnotic trance and heal himself.  This skill may only be used if there are
no monsters in the same room or corridor as the Swordmaster.  Entering the
trance takes one turn, during which the Swordmaster may do nothing else,
including defending himself. Roll 1 red die to see how many Body Points are
regained from the trance.  The Swordmaster may not go over his maximum
amount of Body Points with this roll.
11 - HAZARD FINDER - This skill allows the Swordmaster to try to detect all
traps on a board. It may only be used once per quest level.  Roll 1 red die
to determine the outcome of the search:
    1    You accidentally touch a hidden lever during your search, and a
         hidden blade swings down on you. Roll 3 attack dice to determine
         damages.
    2-5  Nothing
     6   You are able to detect all traps on the current board.
12 - PARRY:  This skill allows the Swordmaster to parry an incoming blow.
When an enemy makes a successful attack against him, he may roll 1 red die.
On a roll of 1-4 the Swordmaster takes the damage as normal.  On a roll of
5-6 the blow is turned and it causes no damage.  If the Swordmaster is using
two weapons he turns the blow on a roll of 4-6, and if the Swordmaster is
using a Great Sword he turns the blow on a roll of 3-6.
==========================================================================
                               In the Stores
                               -------------
WHEN IN DOUBT, BUY AN ORC
by QuestGnome
Didn't get quite what you wanted this holiday season? Too much empty space
around your computer? Need a birthday gift for the HeroQuest player who has
everything? Take a look at computer games publisher Blizzard Entertainment's
first venture into the action figure market.
There are two six-inch-tall figures (a human footman and an Orc grunt) in
the first Warcraft figure series.  They're not Games Workshop designs, but
they're close enough, especially where the Orc is concerned.  Certainly,
this guy has the right complexion, physique and dental work to fit right
into the HeroQuest world.
Blizzard haven't posted any images on their website, but you can see the
figures at Electronics Boutique's online store.
Orc Grunt: http://www.heroscribe.org/thealchemistsbench/new/orc%20grunt.jpg
Human Footman:
http://www.heroscribe.org/thealchemistsbench/new/human%20footman.jpg
In addition to his trusty sword and shield, the human comes with a helmet
that is not pictured in the EB photo.  It completely hides his face and
makes him look much more capable of confronting the Orc in battle.  The
Orc's horned helmet and axe are removable.  Both figures have eight points
of articulation (i.e., eight poseable joints), and they both look great.
If you order through EB's mail order, each figure costs $9.99(US) plus
shipping and handling.  If you prefer to do your shopping in person, both
figures are available (in the US, at least) for $10 - $12 at computer
retailers such as Babbage's, Software Etc. and Electronics Boutique.  There
is also a similarly-scaled line of three Starcraft science fiction figures
available from these same sources.
==========================================================================
                             Arts and Crafts
                             ---------------
3D FOR FREE
by QuestGnome
This one's only of interest to PowerMac users, especially those with faster
machines.  While you're buying your Orc figure at your friendly neighborhood
software store, see if they have back issues of MacAddict Magazine.  The
CD-ROM disc bundled with that magazine's November 1998 issue includes the
complete working version of StrataVision 3D version 4.0 along with complete
disc-based documentation.
This is the program that was used to create the visuals for Myst, and it's a
great tool for making photorealistic board overlays and props for HeroQuest.
For a look at my initial efforts at creating HeroQuest overlays and scenery,
visit this page:
   http://www.heroscribe.org/thealchemistsbench/crafts/strata/tilesamp.html
Presumably, Strata is making this older version of their product available
for free in the hopes that it will interest us in upgrading to the current
version.  I suspect many of the improvements in the more recent versions of
the program are useful to animators.  The free 4.0 version is more than
adequate for creating visuals for HeroQuest.
If you can't find the November 1998 MacAddict in your local store, you can
order it from MacAddict directly.  The cost is $9.95(US) for orders within
the United States and $12.00(US) for orders outside -- well worth the value
of StrataVision 3D, even if it is an old version with disc-based
documentation.
Strata is also offering the software from their website for free, but they
do charge shipping and handling.  Their shipping charges actually make the
price higher than MacAddict's, although they may have versions of the
product that includes printed manuals.
It's probably worth noting again that it helps to have a fast machine.  A
PowerPC processor is absolutely required for the program to run.  My 200 MHz
604e-based machine took several minutes to render my designs in high
quality.  Of course, you only have to do that when you're finished with each
design.